Private The Maid (Quinn Varanin)

[Kirie]

Quinn Varanin's Residence,
Jutrand.

-

"The Servant will step onto the raised platform and place their clothing on the marked square."

The room was small and quiet. Dark quadanium walls with a strip of lights in the roof that bathed the small square space with grey light. The voice emanated from an illuminated red symbol etched into the wall. Like the room, it was cold and metallic. Every now and again, it would bounce or sway, the only indication Kirie was in some sort of transport.

Kirie did as the voice commanded. She stepped onto a circular platform at the room's centre, and after a moment's hesitation, stripped down, throwing her dusty, mudstained jumpsuit into the corner. The air was cold, and her skin prickled, her pale flesh rioe with goosebumps. Kirie heard sudden whirring that made her flinch and step backwards instinctively. A pair of sharp-looking metallic arms had descended from a panel in the ceiling, holding a grey bundle.

"Return to the platform." The voice said coolly. Again, Kirie hesitated, but she knew she didn't have a choice. "The Servant will don their uniform."

Kirie looked down at the clothes. They were simple, but nicer than anything she had been given since the crash. She slipped the simple, soft underclothes, followed by a comfortable pair of pleated trousers and a crisply pressed button up, both in the same charcoal grey. The clothes were devoid of detail, but the sleeves of the shirt were short enough that her chain code tattoo and brand were visible, and here, that was all the identity she would need.

While she dressed, the emotionless announcer detailed Kirie's assignment: she had been placed into domestic service detail and would be attending to the estate of Lady Varanin until a suitable replacement could be selected. Kirie was pretty sure that meant she was some sort of stand-in, and would be shuffled along somewhere else in a few days. That would probably be for the best.

"Prepare to disembark." said the voice. Kirie felt the transport stop suddenly, jerking her forward. Luckily, she kept her balance on the small platform.

A moment later, the far wall opened seamlessly, revealing a darkened street. She didn't know where she was, only that the buildings were large and well appointed. In front of her, a trio wearing an identical uniform to Kirie had already lined up. Were they slaves? It didn't seem so, their arms were bare of the symbols that marked Kirie, and they said nothing when she filed into place behind them. Kirie didn't open her mouth either. She had scarcely said a word since the crash, and never to her captors. Several times already she had been punished for refusing to speak. She had been shoved into the dirt, scolded, and beaten, but still she refused. It had started as just shock and numbness, but somewhere along the way, Kirie's silence had turned into silence. If the Sith never heard a single syllable leave her lips, that would be a small victory. Whatever the case, it was something she could control in the hopeless situation she found herself in.

The other servants stepped forward, and Kirie followed them inside. She didn't know who this Varanin was. Kirie had grown up far from Sith space, but by the look of it she was a lady of wealth and influence. The entrance hall was grand, with almost-black timber floors and a rich red runner that run up to the first landing. Aside from the new arrivals, the house looked empty. Kirie found herself relieved. She had never seen a true Sith, but she had heard the stories. They were gods here, cruel deities. With luck, the master of the house would be away.

Without looking her in the eye, one of the other house staff handed her a duster. Time to get working.

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

Delicate fingers flicked across the sensitive touch screen. Messages from family were automatically sent to a filter while others were automated to 'read.' One did catch her interest. The woman had been contacted by a new service company that provides workers to care for the home and children. Quinn had recently settled in a larger apartment on Jutrand, one that fitted her stature as an instructor and the daughter of a former Empress. The growth in her estate meant she would need help keeping the place together. Like her mother, she was good at the housework, but as time passed, her schedule grew fuller, and the need for help became more necessary.

So, with the company's timing reaching out to her, Quinn decided to check out their services. Her mother and sister had sent Echani servants to her home, but having too many would drive her insane and leave too many loose lips to report back home. If things went well with the current placement, Quinn could send the Echani back home - where they wanted to be and where they belonged.

Having arrived after the company had dropped off the woman who would be joining her staff, Quinn didn't need any help pointing her out. Among the sea of Echani was one brunette, and Quinn, who was blonder than her fellow Echani, was also easy to spot. The click of her heels did nothing to disturb the servants and their chores; she stopped near Kirie and smiled sweetly. "Hello," she smiled as two women noticed their mistress had arrived. They moved quickly and pulled off the coat from the young Princess' shoulders. Quinn did her best to help by shrugging it off and pulling her arms when needed.

"I hope the others did their best to settle you and not shove work onto your lap already." She looked towards the two who removed her coat and caught their mischievous grins. Quinn rolled her eyes and then looked back towards the woman who was given the task of dusting. "That can wait for a moment; I'd like you to at least get a feel of the place before you lose yourself in your work." Quinn glanced about, not seeing anything that would count as belongings, and she wondered if they had shown her where she would be sleeping. "Do you have any belongings? We can put them in your quarters since you will be one of my live-ins - if that's okay with you."

A hand waved quickly before the woman could answer Quinn. "My Force, where's my manners? I'm Quinn Varanin, and you are?" She held her hand out towards Kirie. She was unaware of the woman's status or how she came to be in service to the Echani Princess. Slavery in most corners of the Sith Empire had been abolished; it would be the last thought that crossed her mind.

 

[Kirie]

Kirie's hopes of skating by without meeting Lady Varanin were dashed when she heard the front door open behind her. Instantly, she stopped what she was doing and stood up straight, her heart suddenly beating hard in her chest. For all the posturing that Kirie's guards had done at her first camp, and all the whispered warnings from other servants and slaves, Kirie had never seen, let alone met an actual Sith, only their uniformed lessers. She had built an image in her mind based on those warnings, those stories, of cruel and hideous monsters, with blazing eyes and slack, pallid skin.

Quinn Varanin did not fit that bill.

She was tall, blonde, attractive and sophisticated. She wore fine clothes instead of the dark and shiny armour and uniform of the Sith soldiers, and her demeanor seemed pleasant when she walked in, without the flat mask of cruelty her captors had shown Kirie. It was strange, and disarming. But it also left Kirie feeling off-balance. She had imagined her life a certain way, come to terms with her imprisonment, and now things weren't what they seemed, and that made it all scary again.

"Hello,"

Kirie swallowed, realising she had been staring. Instinctively, she opened her mouth to reply, but she quickly snapped it shut. It didn't matter if this Sith was polite. She wouldn't break her rule. Instead, she looked at the floor and inclined her head respectfully. She felt out of place, and a little foolish. She hoped Quinn would send her away.

"I hope the others did their best to settle you and not shove work onto your lap already."

Kirie cast a glance at the other house staff. Far from making her feel welcome, they had barely acknowledged her existence. Their eyes had slid over her like she was invisible, leaving her to trail along behind them. It was no big thing, at least it would make it easier for Kirie to stay quiet and in the background, and before long, her replacement would arrive, and she would be back to the camps and their dorm rooms, where she had learned to live, instead of this confusing place that made her feel halfway between worlds.

"Do you have any belongings? We can put them in your quarters since you will be one of my live-ins - if that's okay with you."

"My Force, where's my manners? I'm Quinn Varanin, and you are?"

Kirie blinked. She found herself looking around confusedly. She did not have any belongings. Even the clothes on her back had been assigned to her, and would be returned at the end of her placement. Then woman continued, and Kirie swayed a little on her feet. A live-in? She had been expected to muddle through her shift for a few hours and then go. The plush apartment was already driving her a little crazy and she had barely been there a few minutes, how could she survive it for what, days, weeks, longer?

Tears welled in Kirie's eyes, and she swiped at them quickly, unable to keep them from falling. Her chest was tight, her breathing too fast. She shook her head in a quick, sharp movement. No, she had nothing. No, she did not want to live here. No, she would not be introducing herself. Kirie closed her eyes and looked up to the ceiling, closing she eyes. She breath in deep, held it, and slowly released the air. She opened her eyes and looked directly at Quinn. Though they still shined with tears, her gaze held a spark of defiance.

Kirie inclined her head again and stepped back. She wondered if she would be discliplined for refusing to speak. Probably, but at that moment she didn't really care.

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

Quinn watched and felt the swirl of emotions that consumed the woman before her. She did her best to keep her composure. Something had happened to this woman, and Quinn had no clue. It made her quickly question the agency that had reached out to her. Was this girl here against her will? Did she not want to be in this line of work? Quinn chewed on her lower lip slightly as she nodded, understanding how she could feel in a new situation such as working for someone unknown.

Looking at the other attendants, Quinn nodded her head which meant for each woman to move from her sight and the room. Feet shuffled quietly, and the two were alone in the room. Sighing softly, Quinn reached towards a small pocket in the tight, vested garment at her waist. "I can see this is an unfortunate situation for you." Out of the pocket, the Princess pulled a pale purple shimmersilk handkerchief. In the corner of the expensive fabric, her initials were embroidered. Quinn offered the handkerchief so that the woman could have a moment to clean herself up.

She let the silence fall between them, mainly because Quinn understood the feeling of being somewhere she didn't want to be. After several moments, she looked up towards the ceiling, the intricate designs dancing along the empty space. "I like to look at it too." She looked back towards the servant girl and continued to smile. "I understand the ceiling might be unfamiliar now, but I hope you can think of this place as your home as much as it is to me." Maybe that was too friendly for her to say to someone who's supposed to work for her, but Quinn's heart bleeds for the unfortunate.

"You don't have to speak not now, not ever - but I do hope that eventually you'll tell me your story." Quinn sighed gently and slowly walked away, "I hope we can be friends in the future." Quinn waited for the woman to follow her. She needed to at least show her the quarters that belonged to her. As much as she enjoyed being surrounded by the Echani hand servants, she knew they weren't loyal to her.

"Follow me, please, I'd like to get you situated - don't worry about chores today; the others can finish them. I can lend you some clothes, and when you figure out what necessities you need, we can go get them." Quinn waited till Kirie moved to follow her, and then they would walk down a corridor leading to another set of bedrooms. They weren't large, but comfortable. It was obvious that Kirie would potentially be the only live-in as Quinn didn't trust the others, and no other rooms were set up with bedding and other furniture items.

"Here's yours," she pushed open one of the doors, leading into a room with a full-sized bed, dresser, personal bathroom, and closet. There was space for other items, and Quinn addressed it smiling: "You can place a desk or anything else in that empty space—just let me know." Quinn went to leave but paused and brushed back the hair falling from behind her ear. "Are you okay?"

 

[Kirie]

"I can see this is an unfortunate situation for you."

Kirie shrugged, but she reached out and gently took the offered handkerchief from Quinn's hand. She ran the soft material between her fingers, feeling the bumps of the embroidery against her skin. Kirie had never held anything so fine. Where she was from cloth was coarse and practical, and the Kainate seemed to have a similar ethos for its subjects. She dabbed her eyes and wiped her nose, she almost returned it, and then decided against it, awkwardly stuffing the handkerchief into her trouser pocket.

"I like to look at it too."

"I understand the ceiling might be unfamiliar now, but I hope you can think of this place as your home as much as it is to me."

"You don't have to speak not now, not ever - but I do hope that eventually you'll tell me your story. I hope we can be friends in the future."

Following Quinn's eye, Kirie turned her gaze back to the ceiling. She hadn't really looked before, but the ceiling really was quite interesting. The cornices were delicate and handcrafted, resembling twisting branches, and pendant lights hung from the decorative, geometric panels in the centre. It was tasteful and elegant, luxurious but not opulent. It was a nice ceiling.

The rest of the woman's word's sent Kirie's head spinning. Multiple emotions battled inside her. Nobody had been as kind to her as Quinn since the crash, and the Varanin residence seemed to represent Kirie's an opportunity for a safe place to find her footing. Quinn seemed more pliable than the Commanders at the camps and dorms. Maybe that would allow her some wiggle room. Maybe, if she played the right hand, it could mean a chance to get away.

But there was one undeniable, niggling fact that made Kirie want to turn and run out the door. Quinn Varanin was a Sith. An actual, proper Sith. If a fraction of the stories were true, there was no telling the darkness, the volatility, that lurked beneath her proper mannerisms and pale perfect skin. Quinn might be an opportunity, but Kirie had to remember that she could not trust her, even if she kind of wanted to.

Having regained her composure, Kirie followed Quinn out of the entrance hall into the wing of the apartment containing the sleeping quarters, leaving the other servants behind to Kirie's obvious relief. The other rooms were hidden behind closed doors, but Quinn led her down to a room at the end that hung open, a single bed with fine white bedclothes, and all the amenities she could need. The room was designed to sleep two, but the other single bed was just a frame with a bare dresser beside it.

Trailing behind the Sith, Kirie picked up a hairbrush with a filigreed handle from the desk, turning it over in her hands. She nodded along as Quinn explained she would be provided clothes and supplies, even extra furniture if she needed it. Though she was still uneasy, she could help but feel excited even at home on Weik, she had never owned anything that couldn't be made from hand or purchased from the general store in town. All this fancy stuff made her feel like a down-and-out princess. That couldn't be further from the truth, but it was a comforting fantasy.

Kirie looked back to Quinn and smiled gratefully. After a second, she remembered who and where she was, and what the Sith represented, and her smile faded. She turned her gaze to her arm, to the brand, still scabbed and red, and the black inked code beneath it. On her first night after the crash, Kirie had found out the burned symbol represented the Kainate, a sort of subgroup of the Sith, as she understood it. The tattoo, on the other hand, was much more functional. The code could be scanned to share her chain code with whoever wished to know it, so Kirie could be more easily tracked if she attempted to escape.

"Are you okay?"

Quinn's face was half shadowed in the doorway. Her eyes were wide and concerned. For the life of her, Kirie couldn't understand why she cared, but she didn't detect a hint of malice in the woman's expression. Kirie nodded slowly. She was feeling better.

Kirie was going to leave it at that, and make good on the woman's offer to let her sit in silence, but at the last moment, she opened her mouth. The words were hesitant, quavering and soft, but still loud enough for Quinn to hear her.

"W-What planet are we on?"

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

Quinn caught the smile that quickly faded from the woman's face. It seemed she was starting to gain some ground with her. There wasn't much more she could do, mainly if the woman declined to share her name and did not want to speak to the young homeowner. A voice called out as Quinn prepared to turn on her heel and return to her duties. She stopped in her tracks and then looked back at the new housemaid. A curious question to be asked, especially by someone she assumed wanted to be located here. The guise of the company was starting to reel its ugly head. Quinn wanted to believe in the Empire's efforts to end slavery, but deep down, she knew there were more than enough Sith who wished to do things the old way.

Clearing her throat, she leaned casually against the doorframe. A strand of blonde hair decided to rebel and fall from her neat updo to gently frame her face. "Hm?" She bought some time to gain more information about her new arrival.

"Jutrand." Quinn started, "We're out in the outer rim territories, in the um." She paused momentarily; she always forgot the sector - it was such an ugly word, but for now, it was home. Fingers piano tapped against her lips as she thought silently, "Oh, yes, we are in the Grumani sector. Pretty much at the heart of the Empire." Quinn continued to smile, hoping it gave the girl the necessary information - even if it was more than she had asked.

"Anything else you would like to know?" Quinn questioned, but without giving much time, she asked again. "Is this your first time on Jutrand? It's nothing like Coruscant, but it has its charms." Quinn wanted to keep things pleasant, especially with the whirlwind of emotions spilling from the other girl. Quinn didn't know what direction things were going to go. Her arms folded as she leaned against the door frame. Her home felt lonely; at times, she was the only one here with the company of the Echani spies her mother had sent.

"If I may," Quinn felt a sudden wash of awkwardness come over her as she was desperate for the company. "Where are you from?"

 

[Kirie]

For some reason, Kirie couldn't take her eyes off the dangling lock of hair. The blonde, straight piece reflected the warm light from the hallway, and Quinn's sharp-yet-soft features were themself half-shadowed. Kirie looked down, strangely finding herself unable to hold eye contact with the master of the house.

"Jutrand. We're out in the Outer Rim territories, in the um. Oh, yes, we are in the Grumani sector. Pretty much at the heart of the Empire."

"Jutrand."

Jutrand. The heart of the Empire. Kirie's heart sank. It was one of the few planets within the Order that Kirie knew, and she knew enough to realise Quinn was not exaggerating. Jutrand was at the very center of Sith space, itself isolated from trade routes that could carry Kirie away. It was far, far from Weik, worlds away from even the familiarity of the border worlds she had been circulated around since her capture. Back on Bordal, or Vestar, she could entertain the fantasy that all she needed to do was find a ship going the right direction and she'd be back in free space. Here, there were no such hopes. Kirie was alone.

"Anything else you would like to know?"

Yes. Kirie wanted to know who Quinn was. Why she didn't talk or act like the other Sith, if Kirie could trust her, if she could risk lowering her guard in this beautiful, simple bedroom. She wanted to know if she was getting played. If she was making a huge mistake.

"Um. I- I don't know, I-"

Quinn continued.

"Is this your first time on Jutrand? It's nothing like Coruscant, but it has its charms."

Kirie nodded, her eyes still downturned, counting the lines on the dark floorboards over and again.

"Yes." she said, her voice a little more even now. Kirie wondered how many times she had visited? Was she even allowed there? Maybe, if one were powerful enough to have a mansion, and handservants, those rules ceased to matter. "I've never even left the Outer Rim. A month ago. I'd never left home."

Kirie clenched her teeth. Why was Quinn playing so dumb? What was her game? Her every question made Kirie more confused, unsure what to say. She felt like she was getting twisted around in circles. She never should have opened her mouth.

Oh well. Too late.

"I am from Weik. My home is ringed by trees, with wild meadows in summer and deep drifts in the cool months, with painted cottages, and dark, starlit nights. It's a wild place. Here, it feels dead. it is just steel and, I don't know, hardness."

She breathed out a sigh, almost out of breath. That had to have been the most words she had spoken in a month. Something unpleasant stirred in her belly. A dark though crept in- that if she kept pushing, Quinn would reveal her nature, returning Kirie to the awful world she had come to know. Maybe, if she really irked her, Quinn would make it so she didn't have to worry about anything anymore.

Kirie finally looked up. Her eyes met Quinn's with a steady gaze.

"What I want to know, is why you are doing this to me. You seem nice. You seem reasonable. So why?" Kirie pointed to her arm. The still-red brand. The chain code tattoo. "I don't want to be your prisoner. I want to go home."

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

The woman was talking and seemed oddly fixated for a moment. Quinn felt aware of her own appearance for a brief moment, but then everything changed. She watched as the brunette's hazel eyes looked away from her. Quinn assumed trust was being built, but it seemed it would take much more work. Something had happened to this girl, something terrible that kept her in a meek state scared of something or someone.

Quinn didn't say anything. She wanted to let the woman finish answering her flurry of questions. Maybe she had overwhelmed her.

Some information finally came out of the girl's home world. Quinn silently pondered her description along with Jutrand's feelings. The young princess understood quite well how Jutrand felt compared to her own home world. Eshan was beautiful, with forests, culture, and life that Jutrand or Coruscant could never capture. "I feel the same, Esh"— As Quinn opened her mouth to respond, she was cut off, only getting a handful of words out.

Something had awakened in Kirie, giving her the courage to ask the question she must have harbored. Quinn stepped into the room's light, the door shutting behind her now that it was no longer being obstructed. The timing was terrible, but Quinn couldn't worry about that now. Her eyes focused on the branding on the woman's arm and the coded tattoo. It was easy to make out the brand of the Kainites; her blood began to boil seeing it. It was easy to make out the reasoning behind the tattoo as well. The amber in her eyes flared, and her anger continued to rise.

Quinn remained silent, her fury burning and soon fizzling as she regained her composure. Exhaling, Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to figure out a way through this mess. The woman before her was a kainite slave, someone whose life was stolen from them without their consent. She hated it; everything that she had wanted for change in the Empire was being countered by the old guard.

"You're not my prisoner." the Echani spoke quietly. The mere thought of it made her stomach churn. "That brand looks terrible, I can see they couldn't even offer you proper aid." Quinn turned and called for a first aid kit. It didn't take long as one of the other Echani servants wandered in with the bacta and the like. "Thank you." She addressed the woman, and with a slight curtsey, she left, giving Kirie an odd look and a raised brow.

Quinn opened the kit on the small dresser and began to remove tools for her to care for the wound. She didn't want to think about the hoops they would have to jump through to free her from the Kainites; it wasn't like Quinn was even in charge of the girl. Her brow furrowed as she moved closer to try and take care of the brand. Quinn stopped herself, "We need to clean it? The better it heals, the easier I can alchemize it off you." She waited, knowing that moving too fast could startle the girl. Quinn bit her lower lip, trying to think of a way to help get the woman to trust her, so she began to explain herself. "I wasn't taught like the others. The Empire I dream of is one of freedom. The Alliance and Jedi aren't any better than the Sith and slavers."

Somewhat exasperated, Quinn nodded. "I want to take you home, too, but it's complicated, especially because of Kainites, but you are safe here—I promise." Her eyes met the other woman's, hoping that she could convey the seriousness of her promise. "First, please just let me take care of their carelessness—we don't want it to get infected." Quinn smiled gently, trying to be more positive about their situation now.

"You'll have to show me around Weik when I figure out how to get you home."

 

[Kirie]

Quinn moved forward upon seeing Kirie’s outburst, and the door swung shut behind her, Kirie saw it coming, but she still yelped and nearly jumped out of her skin when it swung shut. After a moment, Kirie lowered her hands from in front of her face. Quinn was standing in front of her, close enough to smell her perfume. She was looking down at Kirie, a serious and sympathetic expression on her face. She seemed angry, but it wasn't directed at Kirie.

Once Quinn returned to her normal, calm state, Kirie breathed out a relieved sigh, not realising she had been holding her breath.

"You're not my prisoner."

Kirie nodded along at Quinn's words, never taking her eyes away from her, afraid that if she even blinked, it would all melt away and she would be back in the mud and the rain and the fear, and the endless grey monotony, watching the infection slowly creep up around her arm.

Her arm. Kirie blinked tears out of her eyes. Quinn was looking at her expectantly, a first-aid kit sitting on her lap. She looked at the brand, then back up at Quinn.

“Yes.” she said quietly. “Please, clean it.”

She felt Quinn's fingers wrap gently around her bicep. The brand was raised and solid-white, with a bright red border and lines of scarlet infection which crept up past her rolled sleeve. The antiseptic burned, and Kirie gritted her teeth, but the bacta-patch that followed was pleasant and cooling. The instant relief was like a volume knob had been turned down in Kirie's brain, and she instantly relaxed her shoulders.

"I want to take you home, too, but it's complicated, especially because of Kainites, but you are safe here—I promise."

“I understand.” Kirie said earnestly, even though she wasn't really sure she did. “Thank you for doing this. You're the first person to see me since the cra- Since I was captured. This whole time I've felt like I'm invisible.”

Kirie paused for a beat.

“I'll still be your maid, or your assistant, if you like. My choice this time.”

Once Quinn had wrapped the brand in fresh white bandages, Kirie yawned and stretched. For the first time, she realised how tired she was. She didn't know how long she had been in the steel box that had taken her from the border, but the lights had never dimmed to mark the passage of time, and she had slept only in fitful bursts.

"You'll have to show me around Weik when I figure out how to get you home."

“I will.” Kirie agreed. “And, if you can get me there, I'll make you the best home cooked meal you've had in your life. I swear it.”

Kirie smiled shyly at Quinn. Despite her instincts, she couldn't help but feel her trust growing. There was just something… Good about her, even if she was a Sith.

“Do you like it here?” Kirie asked, trying to keep her voice casual. “The Empire?”

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

Quinn cleaned the wound with as much care as she could. As the bacta patch soothed, she hovered her hand gently, allowing the Force to do some of the work. Despite being aligned with the Sith, the young Varanin was far from a true Sith. Being raised to value the balance in the Force, she was still capable of light-sided feats. The will of the Force was her credo; she was only its guide. It was easy to see the relief the care was giving the girl. Her body released the pent-up tension, and the emotional storm calmed. Quinn felt her own mind ease.

Closing her hand, the warm glow dissipated, and she could already see the healing begin. The skin was no longer irritated, but it would take some time. Despite being able to touch the light, Quinn was not proficient in healing - she was capable enough to blunder her way around to allow the wound to begin its healing. Quinn continued to hold her arm, smiling as the offer was made to remain in her service. It would make hiding her easier from the Kainites. There would be no questioning with her connection to Prazutis and Kaine Zambrano.

Before she answered, Quinn noticed the tiredness in Kirie's face. She guided her to sit on the bed with a gentle smile and nudge. "You're exhausted." She sat with the girl and examined her arm more to ensure no infection lingered elsewhere. Brow furrowing with concern, she looked at the chain code tattooed on her. Quinn ran her thumb carefully under the code, trying to decipher it without asking. This was probably how they tracked her, how they could ship her and find her if she ran.

Looking back to Kirie, Quinn's gentle smile remained. "I would like that," she answered, "to both the meal and the help." She slid her hand down the woman's arm and let both hands rest on Kirie's in hopes of continuing to earn her trust.

"You would stay on as a lady in waiting; it's a bit more involved than an assistant or maid. It would, though, allow you to remain at my side at all times, making it easier for me to care for you and ensure you aren't caught." Her porcelain skin blushed slightly as her gaze averted away from Kirie while she explained the position. "As a lady in waiting though, um, some duties would need performing." Quinn brushed back her hair, though it decided to defy her, and continued to hang, framing the edge of her face. "Particularly, it entails helping me dress, undress, prepare for outings, and bathe as well. It's pretty involved, and I would understand if that changes your mind." Quinn bit on the corner of her lower lip and smiled coyly.

"Of course, you wouldn't start right away until you've regained your strength. I'd hate to treat you worse than you have been already. Till you're ready, you'll live here as my guest." Quinn patted Kirie's hand. She thought quietly about the next question. Did she like living in the Empire? It has been her home since she was a teenager, but some of her biggest heartaches also happened here. "I do." She started, again keeping her mind running, trying to think of something bad about this place. At least in the Empire, she was humble enough to have a normal life. On Eshan, she would be expected to be a princess and do things that involved more politics than she enjoyed. "It's my home. Well, it's more of my home than my actual home. I can live my life and choose who I want to be. The Alliance, while on the outside seemingly better, they're not - at times, can be considered worse than the Sith sadly."

Quinn shifted uncomfortably, "They have my sister lost in their web; there's no saving her or Eshan."

Trying to remain positive, Quinn held onto Kirie's hand but soon released it, realizing she had been holding it this entire time. "My apologies," she said, placing her hands in her lap. Then, she finished her thought: "I hope you can find a home away from home with me while we figure this out…also, what would you like me to call you?"

 

[Kirie]

"You're exhausted."

"I am." Kirie admitted with a wry smile. "And this is the softest bed I've ever felt, so-"

She followed Quinn's gaze as she traced around the bandaged brand, which already felt better than it it ever had, and the raised tattoo. Quinn's brow was furrowed, no doubt trying to figure out what it was for, or how to undo it. Kirie had no idea either, only that her chain code was unique to her, tattoed or not, and that it could only be defeated by changing her own body, whatever that entailed.

Quinn ran her hands down Kirie's arm a final time, and Kirie flushed slightly at her touch. The way her hands came to rest on Kirie's palms, it felt natural, so Kirie let it happen, allowed her fingers to wrap around Quinn's, quietly revelling in the comfort of contact.

The Sith sat in the chair she had pulled up alongside the bed to treat Kirie's wounds. Kirie sat and listened as Quinn explained what she would be doing for as long as she stayed at the Varanin residence, she leaned back slightly, looking up at Quinn and nodding along, one hand propping her up on the bed, the other still holding Quinn's.

"As a lady in waiting though, um, some duties would need performing. Particularly, it entails helping me dress, undress, prepare for outings, and bathe as well. It's pretty involved, and I would understand if that changes your mind."

Kirie stifled a giggle. She had never in her life met anyone who had more than a cleaner in their employ. Quinn certainly enjoyed a pampered lifestyle.

"You need help with bathing?" she asked skeptically. Then, on seeing the expression on Quinn's face, Kirie turned red and looked away. She scrunched her toes and fought to slow her heartbeat. A blink later, she was back looking up at Quinn coolly, though a hit of red still brushed her cheeks.

"I can help with all of that." Kirie said with more confidence than she felt. "Your other staff can show me whatever I don't know." Kirie didn't much relish the thought of working with the other women, standoffish as they were, but she would manage the awkwardness if it meant being able to stay.

"So long as you don't have me digging trenches or loading smelters, I will be fine."

"And you're right. It is a good cover."

"Of course, you wouldn't start right away until you've regained your strength. I'd hate to treat you worse than you have been already. Till you're ready, you'll live here as my guest."

"Thank you." Kirie said emphatically. "I need it. I feel like I've been dragged for an hour behind a speeder bike."

Kirie gently pulled her hands away, sitting back on the bed, propped against the wall, as she listened intently to Quinn's thoughts on the Order and her place in it. The woman's role in the empire, whatever that was, made Kirie uncomfortable, but she understood the draw towards home, and if Quinn felt free to define herself here, Kirie could respect that. She wanted that. But still, she was wary. Quinn's railing against the Alliance, made her squirm a little, but she didn't know enough about it to evaluate its truth. Whatever the case, it was clear from Kirie's plight that the Sith Order had some dark corners, but it had bright places too. The apartment where she sat, to name one. For the moment, Kirie supposed that could be enough for her.

"You're from Eshan?" You're so far from home."

"I hope you can find a home away from home with me while we figure this out…also, what would you like me to call you?"

Kirie grinned. She'd been so caught up in her moping, then on Quinn's conversation, and the way her silver hair framed her face, that she'd forgotten to introduce herself.

"My name is Kirie. It is a pleasure to have met you Quinn. Honestly."

A thought crossed Kirie's mind, and her eyes brightened suddenly. She sat up.

"Wait. You're a Sith. So- can you do the- you know." Kirie wiggled her hands dramatically. "The Force?"

Quinn Varanin ​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kirie //:

Quinn's blush stained against her porcelain skin. There was no hiding the embarrassment. Usually, she didn't mind discussing the work that a lady would be doing in her services. Yet, discussing them with Kirie was embarrassing, especially thinking that this girl would be seeing more of her than most people, and they had just met. Quinn just laughed, trying to do her best to hide her embarrassment. She did live a pampered life, but it was the only one she knew. Quinn had difficulty making eye contact with Kirie, and the thought of a simple bath made her shy. Quickly, to try and settle herself, Quinn brushed back the blond hair that seemed to have a mind of its own.

"Y-Yes, I require help to bathe and dress. Some of my outfits are difficult to put on and take off." Looking back toward the door, Quinn continued, "I honestly look forward to having someone I can trust during those intimate moments - so I apologize if you find yourself to be the only one." Finding the courage, the Princess looked to Kirie, finding her gaze as she smiled. "No trenches or smelters involved, thankfully."

The awkwardness of the offer faded, and Quinn found herself relaxing within the quarters that now belonged to Kirie. The anger and frightened feelings were dissipating, hopefully, now that the slave girl was aware that Quinn was a friend. While the anger had faded, the sadness lingered, and the Princess couldn't tell if her own emotions were fueling the feelings. Her talk of home made her long for it, and when Kirie mentioned that Eshan was far from here, Quinn shifted in her seat and nodded. "It's been some time since I've been back; alas, I'm unwelcomed by the Queen and her children's sire. I'll be okay, though; I've made a home wherever I've gone - Jutrand is no different."

Quinn continued to smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kirie," She nodded, patting the girl's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Although things were starting to calm down, Kirie surprised Quinn once more. A gentle laughter escaped the Princess as the woman questioned if she could use the Force. Letting Kirie's hands go, Quinn nodded and raised her hands with a wiggle of her fingers. "I can; it's what I used to quicken the healing of your branding. It's also what I used to try to rid you of both - but it seems a bit more complex about both things on your arm." Another beat of nervousness and pushing back her stray blonde hair.

"There are other aspects of the Force, of course; my influence with it has me more in tune with people's emotions - to the point that sometimes I can get overwhelmed with feeling what they're feeling." A fingertips rested against her chin as she thought. "I can influence an individual's emotions," Quinn shook her head, "I haven't used it here with you because it's a bit invasive, and I wanted you to trust me first - but it might help you find sleep after we finish talking."

The shift would be gradual but sudden. Kirie would be able to feel the room suddenly lighter and hopeful. Quinn would once more reach out and gently squeeze Kirie's hands, and the room would feel warm, caring as if a warm blanket was suddenly swaddling the young woman. "You should get some rest; I know you've had a long day, a long and terrible journey to get here to me, but everything is going to get better - I promise."

 

[Kirie]

Quinn’s embarrassment made Kirie feel a bit more at ease. That was probably wrong, but it was true. There was something authentic about it, a peek behind the curtain of her class and sophistication to see the real feelings beneath. More than that, there was a part of Kirie that was secretly glad to have knocked a member of the Sith down a peg, though it gave her a twinge of shame to admit that to herself. Quinn seemed a nice person, a likely ally. It seemed wrong to revel in her discomfort.

When Quinn’s eyes finally found their way to Kirie again, she would find the slave girl looking at her with a level gaze. She gave Quinn a reassuring smile and a nod of affirmation. Kirie would be lying if she said the thought of having to bathe and dress Quinn intimidated her. If the princess were old, or plain, it would be easier, just a job. But Quinn… Kirie visibly turned her head, as if physically shaking the thoughts from her mind.

She settled back to watch Quinn explain her proficiency with the Force. Kirie had heard about empathic abilities in the old stories on Weik; folk heroes saving towns from roving bandits without lifting a saber, a wandering Jedi solving a mysterious death haunting a family for generations. In all the campfire tales she had heard, the empath had never been a Sith. But, Kirie was quickly learning there were many things about the Galaxy she did not understand.

Quinn was a healer too, it seemed, a word that to most was synonymous with Light. Kirie had visited a healer once, when she was a young girl, sick with an illness the town’s doctor could not treat. She had felt the same spreading warmth, the same tingling, that she felt when Quinn had held her hand over the branded symbol. What a gift, thought Kirie, to be able to save others with just your willpower. A shame that so many who held that power misused it.

“Thank you.” said Kirie. “For not using your emotional… Abilities, without me knowing.”

The idea that she could have been manipulated in such a way filled Kirie with dread. She reminded herself to ask Quinn later how to protect herself against those who might use that power against her. Kirie imagined herself walking into the residence of a less kind master, her fear and alertness melting away, leaving only a willing slave. Fear rushed through Kirie’s heart. Was that what was happening here?

No. This seemed genuine, and Quinn didn’t seem like the type. Besides, if she had already walked this far into a trap, what could be done? Better to trust, thought Kirie, and have faith for once that she would be okay.

"I haven't used it here with you because it's a bit invasive, and I wanted you to trust me first - but it might help you find sleep after we finish talking."

“I’m happy for you to try.” said Kirie. “If it will make me more at ease.”

Quinn was right enough that Kirie needed to rest. She was exhausted. She allowed Quinn to steer her towards the pillow, which caught her head like a gentle embrace. The covers were clean and soft, and Kirie pulled them around herself with relish. Quinn’s warm presence remained beside her. The woman had not lied about her power, for Kirie felt comfortable and content. Her breathing slowed and steadied, and she thought about the woman’s words.

"You should get some rest; I know you've had a long day, a long and terrible journey to get here to me, but everything is going to get better - I promise."

Yes. Kirie agreed. This would be a turning point. Quinn would help her. Soon she would be home. Everything was going to get better.

“Thank you, Quinn.” Kirie’s voice was a soft whisper. She closed her eyes, and settled into a a deep and dreamless sleep.